Alginates, such as Gaviscon, are medicines that contain seaweed-derived compounds which form a protective raft that floats on top of stomach contents, reducing reflux and preventing irritation of the stomach wall by acid.
Chewable tablets like Rennies neutralise stomach acid. Even acid-reducing medications like omeprazole can be purchased over the counter.
While these can ease symptoms, they can also delay diagnosis and treatment of potentially serious conditions if relied upon for long periods of time.
What causes indigestion? After a rich or spicy meal or a stomach bug, some indigestion is expected, and might last a few days.
Indigestion can also stem from benign conditions such as a hiatus hernia, where part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest, making reflux more likely.
This is common: it’s estimated that around a third of people over 50 may have one. Other risk factors include coffee, alcohol, spicy or fatty foods, large portions, pregnancy, obesity and smoking.
Some medications, including antidepressants, ibuprofen, anti-inflammatories and iron tablets, can also trigger symptoms.
However, persistent dyspepsia can sometimes be linked to more serious conditions. Inflammation of the oesophagus, stomach or duodenum has many causes, including infection with Helicobacter pylori a common bacteria that can live in the stomach lining and is a leading cause of ulcers.
Antibiotics and omeprazole may be required to treat it.
In some cases, this infection can progress to a peptic ulcer, which carries serious risks of bleeding or perforation of the gut.
More worryingly, indigestion can occasionally be a symptom of upper gastrointestinal cancers.
In such cases, an endoscopy – a flexible camera that examines the upper gut – may be needed, with alternative tests available for those unable to tolerate the procedure.
Other internal cancers can also cause indigestion among other symptoms, including pancreatic and ovarian cancer.
Even cardiac chest pain can mimic indigestion.
Symptoms can vary considerably between different conditions and different patients.
This is why it’s important not to self-diagnose, and seek medical advice so a doctor can put the pieces together and make an appropriate plan of action.
